Offline

I made a conscious choice last weekend to stay offline. Between
the four of us we had four phones and a laptop so it was possible to check FB
and answer email, but I chose to wait until we returned home. If we had planned
to be gone a week or more I would have made a different decision, but three
days offline seemed like a good idea. We all need a break from our social
network from time to time. You will note, however, that I didn’t leave my phone
at home. And I made sure it was charged. “Off” is one thing…unusable is quite
another. Like everyone else, I like knowing I have a phone if I need to call someone.

Ironically one of the things I enjoyed about traveling when
I was a child was the idea that no one could find us. I’m not sure why that
intrigued me so much, but I realized quite early that when we were traveling
our friends and family members didn’t know more than our general route. It made
any trip seem like a grand adventure! I don’t remember ever being frightened
about being lost or hurt. There were plenty of other travelers out and about
and we routinely saw patrol cars. We had a few breakdowns and flat tires over
the years, but somehow everything always turned out okay. I suppose my parents’
perspective on those times was quite different from mine. They had to fix things; I only had to play on
the side of the road and pick flowers until they had done so.

During the early years of our marriage Gary and I were often
separated from our family while we climbed mountains and raced cars and camped
on the beach. Sometimes the children went with us and sometimes they stayed
with my grandmother. It never occurred to us to really worry about being out of
touch. There were pay phones everywhere, even at the base camps of some
wilderness areas. Every gas station and motel and corner grocery store had a pay
phone. Communication wasn’t instant, but it was often possible, and “check
points” could be established for safety. We usually called home every night so someone
knew we were still alive. If we climbed for several days we made sure someone
nearby expected us home at a certain time. We never went on a dangerous hike
without another couple, but we did spend time exploring alone. We once spent
four days in the wilderness without ever seeing another person!

Looking back, I suppose we took our chances with safety, but
then again, everyone did. Nowadays people don’t want to work in their yard
without a phone. Some people don’t even go to the bathroom without them- I know
because I have heard far too many bathroom stall conversations in restaurants
and at Walmart! Are they important conversations? No. Are they emergencies? No.

When I see dozens of people around me with phones stuck to their
ears it makes me wonder what they have to say that is so important that it can’t
wait until a more relaxed, private time. Everyone seems so distracted and
oblivious to their surroundings while they are talking to that little box. I
once witnessed a woman go through the whole process of checking out her groceries
at Walmart without speaking to anyone except the person on her phone. She barely
nodded to the clerk. And the entire phone conversation was just your standard,
everyday chit-chat.

Of course now everyone also uses their phone for apps and
games and searching the internet and updating their FB status. I recently watched a man play games on his
phone while his family finished eating dinner at a local restaurant. His kids
were chatting about recent activities and he hardly said a word. I routinely witness
parents handing their phones to toddlers so they will be entertained while the
adults shop. Kids pick up phones or
other devices the moment they get into their cars after school. People constantly
consult their phones for information. There
are a million and one reasons to never let your phone leave your hand!

Well, I’m here to tell you there is one reason to leave it
in my purse, turned off: because I don’t want
to use it. And as long as I still have choices, that’s mine.

BTW- Did you know that if your phone is on while you are shopping that many stores can track your shopping
habits, purchases, etc. and use the information to design displays, change
product arrangements, and figure out how to entice you to spend more money?
Yep. All connected to the store’s video surveillance system. I saw a
fascinating news program about it.

Comments

This is a sticky issue to navigate as a parent. Constantly being cognizant that every thing we do is being observed, that we are setting an example (at least until they choose their own path), it makes those momentary electronic indulgences appear less attractive.

Not that I don't have to occasionally confiscate a device or two from the spouse.

It's so hard. We cannot shield the kids from never touching electronics, but we try to keep them and us present. In the real world.

I admit that I've done almost an entire grocery purchase on my cell before. It was a call that I needed to take. And my cashier (my favorite one at my grocer) said she understood.